Dear Stan,
I write this to you with a heavy heart: shocked and saddened, upset and angry. This letter to you is perhaps to ease my angst; I really don't know what to say and how to say it! But I am sure that what I write is also the sentiments, the emotions of many, from all over: Jesuit companions, colleagues, collaborators, alumni, well-wishers and friends who knew you so well and particularly, the Adivasis and other subalterns, whom you loved so much and gave your life for. This letter comes from the bottom of my heart (and our hearts) to say "Sorry, Stan!"

On August 9, St Xavier's College (SXC) Mumbai, (through their Department of Inter-Religious Studies) was scheduled to hold 'The Annual Stan Swamy Memorial Lecture.' The topic was 'Migration for Livelihood: Hope Amidst Untold Miseries.' It was to be delivered virtually by Jesuit Fr. Prem Xalxo, currently Associate Professor of Moral Theology at the Gregorian University, Rome. The speaker is a renowned personality, and the topic is timely and relevant. On August 4, representatives of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) met the SXC authorities, and in a written letter, strongly condemned the organising of the lecture and demanded its cancellation. Very sadly, the Jesuit management and other officials caved in to this pressure and cancelled the lecture. For this, "Sorry, Stan!"

In their letter (which they have put on their facebook page) the ABVP said "organising a lecture in memory of a person who was a key accused in serious crimes, like UAPA, including contact with the banned CPI (Maoist), financing and recruiting armed Naxalite groups, and seizure of documents containing a conspiracy to overthrow the constitutional government through armed uprising, is glorifying the Naxalites... it is extremely sad that prestigious colleges like St. Xavier's are trying to encourage Naxalist ideas by glorifying a person accused of committing anti-national conspiracies. We demand that the principal cancel this lecture immediately."

All this is patently false, and it has been proved that even the so-called 'incriminating documents' were planted in your computer. Besides, for an 'alleged' crime, the law stipulates that one is innocent until proven guilty. That you are innocent is without doubt. Judge after judge has rescued themselves from your case, for the simple reason that they will have to declare you innocent! For the falsehood and slander you are still subject to, "Sorry, Stan!"

Stan, you are aware that SXC is my Alma Mater. I spent cherished years as a Xavierite from 1968 to 1972 (1969 was our Centenary year). At that time, we had Jesuits who were stalwarts, staff who were excellent and a great student body! It was a joy to be a Xavierite. It was at that time I first met you in a Social Analysis Programme – and ever since, you have been to me a hero, mentor and guide. In 1974 (and later), after entering the Society, together with my companions, we readily accepted the faith–justice mandate under the leadership of Fr. Pedro Arrupe. Over the years, I learnt that your heroes were Dom Helder Camara, Paolo Freire, Ivan Illich and Arrupe. Your knowledge of their writings and works rubbed off on many. As a good friend of yours, as an SXC alumnus and as a Jesuit, I feel duty-bound to say, "Sorry, Stan!"

Ever since the news broke of the cancellation of the Memorial lecture, I have been besieged with calls and comments; in the many groups I belong to on social media, there are innumerable comments against the Jesuits, and particularly against SXC (some of the comments are even offensive). Across the board, people (including several alumni and Jesuits) are feeling angry and let down. They say that SXC has failed to see the big picture: cancelling the lecture means giving in to the anti-national and anti-Constitutional fascist forces.

Acquiescing with these forces means that they are emboldened and will continue to call the shots. It means negating the academic freedom which is the essence of every institution of higher learning; it means that the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and expression is not important. In the past, when there were such threats, we are aware that SXC called in the police and continued with their programme. Today's (August 10) midday reports, "We are surprised that the college has shown cowardice and yielded to pressure tactics. We teach our students about the values of justice, democracy, and peace, but when it comes to taking a stand, we bow down to the pressure, even when Stan has not been proven guilty. This has been the general pulse of the St Xavier's alumni and the community," said a source from the St Xavier's College Society. "Sorry, Stan!"

On July 1, our Superior General, Fr. Arturo Sosa, delivered a path-breaking inaugural address to the Assembly of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) gathered in Colombia. Among the many other things, he said, "At the 2018 IAJU Assembly in Bilbao, I also recalled how Ignacio Ellacuría, SJ, one of the martyrs of the UCA-El Salvador, strongly insisted on understanding the university as a project of social transformation. Trying to explain the meaning of those words, I said: "It is a university that moves toward the margins of human history where it encounters those who are discarded by the dominant structures and powers. It is a university that opens its doors and windows to the margins of Society. With them comes a new breath of life that makes efforts for social transformation a source of life and fulfilment." That the Jesuits of SXC have not understood this fundamental of Jesuit education, we say "Sorry, Stan!"

Today on Facebook, I came across a powerful picture and quote posted by 'Earth. We Are One' (ewao.com). The picture shows birds in a cage criticising the bird who dares to fly. The quote said, "The image of caged birds criticising a rebel who has chosen to fly free is a powerful metaphor for the way Society often views those who dare to challenge the status quo. The caged birds represent the fear and conformity of those who prefer to remain inside their safe boundaries, while the free bird embodies the courage to break away from societal norms. What is it that makes us fear the rebel—the one who chooses to question the rules? Perhaps it's because they see a different path, one that holds the potential for growth and freedom. This cartoon asks us: Is it better to stay in the cage, or should we follow our own path toward true liberation?" That reminded me of you, Stan, someone who had the courage to fly and even when you were caged in prison, you dared to tell us that even caged birds sing. Of course, you meant the song of truth and justice. For not having the courage to fly and even to sing whilst being caged, we say with humility, "Sorry, Stan!"

I can see you, Stan, smiling at us here below, telling us in your own inimitable and no-nonsense way how we have lost the plot! You tell us that instead of accompanying the Adivasis and the Dalits, the excluded and exploited, the minorities and marginalised, the poor and vulnerable, we focus on constructing buildings and on institutionalisation. You question us about 'forming men and women for others' when some of those who take away the jal-jungle-jameen other natural resources, identity and dignity from the Adivasis, are those 'educated' by us.

You remind us of the film 'Mission' and of the Jesuit Martyrs of El Salvador; you challenge us to live our faith-justice mandate and to realise the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) in all our initiatives. Above all, you tell us that mere 'tokenism' and 'cosmetic activities' will in no way help us truly walk the talk! Yes, Stan, we have betrayed you, your vision and mission. Perhaps, this act by SXC may even hopefully help us all to 'examen' ourselves much more and honestly! Till then, "Sorry, Stan!"
Forgive us, dear Stan, and intercede for us from your eternal abode,

Your brother,
Cedric